Road Wise Aggressive Driving Passenger Safety Texas Cooperative Extension in cooperation with Texas Department of Transportation

Aggressive Driving There have been numerous television shows and nightly news coverage on the hot topic, aggressive driving. What is it? Everyone has seen examples of aggressive driving, many of us, at some time, have driven aggressively ourselves.

Aggressive Driving What is it? Driving behavior that endangers or is likely to endanger people or property. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines aggressive driving as “driving behavior that endangers or is likely to endanger people or property.” This definition includes a broad spectrum of driving behaviors, ranging from risky driving and escalating to dueling and violence on the road. Activity: Are You An Aggressive Driver? Handout quiz and allow time for everyone in the group to complete the quiz. Inform the group that this is for their information, it will not be collected. Be honest with your answers to provide the most accurate information possible. Ask everyone to place the completed quiz face down to use later in the program.

Aggressive Driving What do they do? Run stop signs and red lights. Speed, tailgate, weave in and out of traffic. Make improper, unsafe lane changes. What types of aggressive driving have you seen or done yourself? Allow a few minutes for class discussion. What do aggressive drivers do? They are likely to: Run stop signs and red lights, speed, tailgate, weave in and out of traffic, pass on the right and make improper, unsafe lane changes, make hand and facial gestures, scream, honk, and flash their lights. Climb into the anonymity of a car and take out their frustrations on others at any time. Allow high frustration levels to diminish any concern for fellow motorists. Risk impairment by alcohol or drugs, drive unbelted or take other unsafe actions.

Aggressive Driving What do they do? Make hand and facial gestures, scream, honk, and flash their lights. Take out their frustrations on others. Risk impairment by alcohol or drugs, drive unbelted or take other unsafe actions. What types of aggressive driving have you seen or done yourself? Allow a few minutes for class discussion. What do aggressive drivers do? They are likely to: Run stop signs and red lights, speed, tailgate, weave in and out of traffic, pass on the right and make improper, unsafe lane changes, make hand and facial gestures, scream, honk, and flash their lights. Climb into the anonymity of a car and take out their frustrations on others at any time. Allow high frustration levels to diminish any concern for fellow motorists. Risk impairment by alcohol or drugs, drive unbelted or take other unsafe actions.

Aggressive Driving What causes it? 1. Lack of responsible driving behavior. 2. Reduced levels of traffic enforcement. 3. Increased roadway congestion and travel. What causes it? The causes of aggressive driving are complex; no one has all the answers. It is considered a learned behavior from childhood. Three factors in particular are linked to aggressive driving: 1. Lack of responsible driving behavior. 2. Reduced levels of traffic enforcement. 3. Increased roadway congestion and travel. Let’s look a little closer at the three factors: Encourage people to realize that reducing aggressive driving begins with the individual driver. Driving is a privilege with responsibilities. Every driver is responsible for his/her actions. Driving is a huge system that includes the other driver, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Driving is a cooperative venture, not a competitive sport. Vigorous enforcement, especially in trouble zones, and if manpower permits. Need strong laws that are supported by courts. Strong penalties send strong messages that unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated. Traffic congestion is frequently associated with aggressive behavior. Anger and aggression are often unleashed when driver expectations are not met. Since 1987, the number of miles of roads in the U.S. has increased by only 1%, while the number of vehicle miles driven has increased by 35%. With increased speed limits, there is more variation in speeds that people travel. This creates tension, especially on two way, two lane roads.

Aggressive Driving What Can We do: On a personal level... Get out of the way. Do not accept the challenge. Make sure everyone in the vehicle is safely restrained. Avoid eye contact. We can deal with this situation on two levels: personal and societal. Get out of the way. Do not accept the challenge. Make sure everyone in the vehicle is safely restrained (safety belts worn correctly and child safety seats used properly). Avoid eye contact.

Aggressive Driving What Can We do: On a personal level... Ignore gestures and do not return them. Report aggressive driving giving vehicle description, license number, location and direction of travel. 1-800-525-5555 (DPS) Look at your own behavior. Ignore gestures and do not return them. Report aggressive driving giving vehicle description, license number, location and direction of travel. 1-800-525-5555 (DPS) Look at your own behavior.

Aggressive Driving What Can We Do On A Societal Level... Increase awareness of consequences and send strong social messages. Support strong, well enforced laws. Support appropriate punishment from the judicial system. Support improved roadway management and operations. Increase awareness of consequences and send strong social messages. Support strong, well enforced laws. Support appropriate punishment from the judicial system. Support improved roadway management and operations. Activity: Brainstorm ways to get this message out in your community. Discuss results of aggressive driving test. Are there changes you can make in your own behavior?

Aggressive Driving The good news is that we are beginning to see an increased nationwide awareness of the consequences of aggressive driving nationwide. Are there any questions?